Recognize Others for Exemplary Nonprofit Commitment

(3BL Media) March 13, 2012 - Nominations are now open for the 2012 Microsoft Alumni Foundation Integral Fellows awards program.

The Integral Fellows Award recognizes and supports a Microsoft alumnus who has made a meaningful difference in the lives of others by using his/her talents, time and resources to contribute to the world. Their impact may be local, regional, national, or international.

Again this year, up to three alumni will receive a $25,000 award to support the nonprofit organization with which they work in the form of a one-year, unrestricted grant. All nominees are highlighted and the winners are recognized at our annual celebration this fall, a members-only event where Microsoft alumni gather to reunite, connect, and celebrate philanthropy.

Nominations are open through April 15, 2012. Go to the Microsoft Alumni Foundation web site for more information and to complete the nomination form.  You do not have to be a Microsoft alumnus to nominate someone.  Share this with your non Microsoft Alumni friends and colleagues and encourage them to nominate a Microsoft alumnus.

The 2011 Integral Fellows award winners embody the spirit of the program.  Oliver Hurst-Hiller is Chief Technology Officer of Donorschoose.org which allows donors to select which classroom projects they wish to fund. Tom Ikeda, Founder and Executive Director of Densho Project, works to preserve the memories of those Japanese American families who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. David Risher, Co-Founder and President of WorldReader, makes books available digitally to millions of people in the developing world so that they may improve their lives.

Integral Fellows winners are selected by a panel of distinguished judges and exemplify the following values:

• Entrepreneurship - We believe in taking the best of what we learned at Microsoft and using it to address our planet’s challenges. We’re passionate about changing the world. We work hard, take risks, and are inspired by the amazing difference our alumni are making every day.
• Innovation - We believe that through our brightest ideas and most creative thinking we can look at the problems we face in a new way, in a new light, and find inspired solutions.
• Effectiveness - We know that real results are those which are measurable and make a lasting impact.
• Collaboration - We know that by working together we can accomplish so much more than we could on our own.
• Integrity - We value honesty, fair play, professionalism, and transparency.

Amongst the 85,000 Microsoft alumni worldwide, many are achieving measureable results in numerous capacities. They may have started a nonprofit organization or they may be an exceptional volunteer or manager. Their organization may be just starting to make a significant impact, and with additional help, may be ready to scale. Or they may be well established, scalable and now achieving global success. This success may be a result of technology deployment or operational effectiveness. Their impact may be local, regional, national, or international. There are many ways in which Microsoft alumni demonstrate significant achievements beyond what is described above; we would like to hear how each nominee is making an impact in their own way.  Please share them by nominating a Microsoft alumnus for this year’s Integral Fellows Award.

The Microsoft Alumni Foundation, nonprofit sister organization to MSA, is the home for information, opportunities, and connections to the philanthropic activities of the Microsoft alumni community. Becoming a member supports the operations of the foundation and allows us to celebrate and reward the great work being done by Microsoft Alums. Members receive invitations to exclusive events such as Celebration 2012 and access to Microsoft Volunteer Manager skills based matching tool. In addition, members have the opportunity to gain visibility for their non-profit organization's events and activities on our web properties.